FORMER Dexys Midnight Runner Cradley Heath musician Kevin Archer is giving away his 'lost' album to 50 lucky fans.

Mr Archer, who left the group he helped set up just before it topped the charts with Come on Eileen in 1982, went on to make an album with his new group The Blue Ox Babes, but it was not released until 2009.

Despite securing a number one with their first single in 1988 and a tour with the Proclaimers, the band split up after it was dropped by their label.

The unreleased Apples and Oranges, recorded with Pete Wingfield of The Proclaimers and Dexys, lay dormant until Mr Archer, who got the original mixed tapes back and it was released through Cherry Red Records in 2009, accompanied by nine additional tracks spanning the various periods of the group's existence and a 16-page booklet of images and information.

Mr Archer, now aged 56, has a final few hundred of Apples and Oranges left and is looking to give 50 away to local fans of the band as a thank you and celebration of The Blue Ox Babes.

He said: "I want people to be able to hear what we did. It's the last album I made. I'm giving away about 50 copies to people who really want them."

Apples and Oranges is available from by calling him on 01384 569990 or emailing archer.k1@sky.com.